The rationale for this
publication is two-fold. On the surface it is for Welsh people to build up and remember
their loved ones' birthdays, anniversaries, important dates and events against days of the
year. There is also an A-Z section annexed, so that addresses, telephone numbers, email
addresses and the like can be entered. Thus we can keep our personal and social records in
one easy-to-find book, rather than delve among scraps of paper, fading memories, or boot
up the computer. On the other hand, it is to let us know about famous Welsh people and
events upon each of these days. For each day, there is also a quotation, usually from a
Welsh source, often tying in with the people and events of the day.

The author hopes that readers will be enthused to find out more about Wales and the
Welsh from the entries in this book.

Many important dates in our history do not exist any longer, as records were destroyed
during the taking of the land, and it is hoped that this publication will allow more
information to surface about the heroes, heroines and events that shaped the nation. The
Almanac is not linked to its year of publication, but can be used in years to come. It
will be an ideal Christmas, Birthday or Anniversary present for those who care about
Wales, its past and its future.

The genesis of this book was the author's 'The Book of Welsh Saints'. Wales has
over 900 saints from the Dark Ages of the rest of Europe, and apart from David and Dwynwen
(the Welsh Valentine) they are universally neglected. We have records of our saints'
days, only because their feasts were kept until the 18th and 19th centuries in the places
still named after them.

Their llannau were sparks of Christianity and learning in a pagan world, but the Welsh
contribution to the survival of Christianity has never been properly addressed. The book
was a call for their churches to once more become centres of social life, for fairs and
feasts to be held on their saints' days, for economic and cultural regeneration. Thus,
each day begins with the Welsh Saints' Days. No other country has such a heritage from
these times, yet our saints are forgotten. Welsh history to outsiders began in 1066 -i.e.
it was Saxon and Norman - German and French -history, not British history. History
is written by conquerors, and over the decades and centuries becomes separated from truth.